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The differences between hardware design engineers and computer hardware developers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a hardware design engineer and a computer hardware developer. Additionally, a hardware design engineer has an average salary of $106,135, which is higher than the $99,546 average annual salary of a computer hardware developer.
The top three skills for a hardware design engineer include RF, PCB and analog. The most important skills for a computer hardware developer are firmware, hardware development, and python.
| Hardware Design Engineer | Computer Hardware Developer | |
| Yearly salary | $106,135 | $99,546 |
| Hourly rate | $51.03 | $47.86 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 69,000 | 116,915 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A hardware design engineer is an individual who develops, improves, and test components and systems for computers and other devices. Hardware design engineers must develop and design hardware components, such as circuit boards, switches, and networking elements. They are required to examine technological specifications and functional requirements as well as design components and systems that will deliver the expected performance. Hardware design engineers are also involved with manufacturing hardware, and they work closely with software engineers and developers during the development cycle.
Computer hardware developers handle the physical aspect of computers. The developers research, design, and manufacture test computer systems and components. They make sure that they function to their full capacity with the software they are being used with. Their duties include designing new computer hardware, manufacturing computer equipment schematics, analyzing the test results, and modifying the design of the new hardware as needed. They update the already existing computer equipment so it works with new software and oversee every step of the manufacturing process.
Hardware design engineers and computer hardware developers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Hardware Design Engineer | Computer Hardware Developer | |
| Average salary | $106,135 | $99,546 |
| Salary range | Between $80,000 And $139,000 | Between $74,000 And $133,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bothell, WA | Redmond, WA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a hardware design engineer and a computer hardware developer in terms of educational background:
| Hardware Design Engineer | Computer Hardware Developer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between hardware design engineers' and computer hardware developers' demographics:
| Hardware Design Engineer | Computer Hardware Developer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.1% Female, 9.9% | Male, 76.4% Female, 23.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.7% Unknown, 2.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 29.9% White, 50.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 29.6% White, 50.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |